The LIFTS Podcast

In the final episode of our "Growing Our Storytellers" series, host Gwyneth Hyndman speaks with Montana’s First Lady Susan Gianforte for a conversation about the power of books, the importance of early literacy, and the simple ways reading can bring families together. 

Ms Gianforte shares why The Little Engine That Could has always held a special place in her heart and why its message — “I think I can” — continues to resonate with her. She talks about growing up as the daughter of German immigrants, spending time with her grandmother in Germany, an...

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, we take a road trip across Granite County, Montana to have coffee with Stephanie White, one of the storytellers featured in the latest issue of LIFTS Magazine.

Stephanie shares her story, “A Father’s Love of Literature Lives On,” about growing up with a dad who brought books and stories to life—and how that love of reading has continued into the next generation. From childhood trips to the library with her father to reading with her own three daughters, Stephanie reflects on the ways books have shaped her family and help...

What does early literacy actually look like before a child can read?

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman continues the Growing Storytellers series with pediatric speech-language pathologist Christy Cheviron, founder of Alpine Start Speech Therapy in Missoula.

Christy helps unpack what is happening in young children's brains during those incredible first years of life and explains why early literacy is about so much more than teaching a child to read. Before children can read words on a page, they are building language, vocabulary, attention, memory, narrative skills, sound awareness...

What can we grow here? And perhaps more importantly—what can we learn from the place where we live? 

In the second episode of our early literacy series "Growing Our Storytellers," we explore Grow Where You Are, a community early literacy project in Dillon, Montana, with Katrina Kennett, a professor of education at the University of Montana Western.  

The idea behind Grow Where You Are grew out of a collection of projects, conversations and community efforts focused on understanding what can grow in southwest Montana—and helping people of all ag...

What happens when a child who found safety, consistency and belonging in Head Start grows up to become a powerful advocate for the next generation?

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman speaks with Hilary Gourneau, an enrolled Dakota member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, former Fort Peck Tribal Head Start executive director and founder of Pté Collective, about how early literacy begins with creating spaces where children and families feel safe, seen and supported.

Hilary shares what she learned during her time as a H...

 In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Gwyneth Hyndman joins Rylee Andrews, a Maternal Support Professional with the Butte 4 C’s, to talk about the realities facing families across Southwest Montana. 

Rylee shares what she is seeing in homes right now as the cost of groceries, gas, housing, childcare, and healthcare continues to put pressure on family budgets. She talks about the difficult choices parents are making, from delaying medical appointments to sacrificing their own needs so their children can have what they need. 

The conversation also explores the e...

What does motherhood look like when you're carrying grief, navigating IVF, and raising a child in rural Montana? 

In this episode, HMHB Storytelling Coordinator Gwyneth Hyndman talks with fellow Philipsburg mom and farmer Kelly Pipe Campbell about motherhood, grief, IVF, and how support can look in a rural community.

Kelly shares the seven-year journey with her husband, Derek, that led to the birth of their daughter, Beverly, including fertility treatments, a miscarriage, and a first experience with IVF, compared to their journey with IVF in 2026.  She also talks openly about losing her mother before becoming a...

Episode Description

Welcome to Season 6 of the LIFTS Podcast - In this season-opening episode, new host Gwyneth Hyndman, HMHB’s Storytelling Coordinator, sits down with Stephanie Morton, Executive Director of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, the Montana Coalition, to reflect on where the organization has been and where it is headed.

Gwyneth and Stephanie talk about the evolution of the podcast, including the transition from Mother Love to LIFTS, and why creating a space that includes moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents, and the many other people helping raise Montana’s children matters.

They...

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Episode Description 

In this heartfelt episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Celeste Miller, a ranch mom from rural Montana, about her journey through breastfeeding challenges, rural isolation, and finding confidence in motherhood.

Celeste shares how her first baby’s health complications made nursing difficult, how she found support the second time around, and what it’s like raising kids while working on a cattle ranch. Together, Emily and Celeste discuss the realities of rural parenting — long drives for care, limited...

Episode Description:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman speaks with Stephanie Fitch (Billings Clinic) and Sarah Buchanan (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services) about Siloed — a Montana-made documentary exploring the realities of maternal healthcare access in rural communities.

Produced by Montanans, for Montanans, Siloed weaves together powerful stories from across the state to reveal both the challenges and the deep resilience found in Montana families and providers. The film sheds light on maternal healthcare deserts, the emotional and logistical barriers families fa...

Guest Bio: 

Tehya Teigen is a 29-year-old proud mother of two and the wife of a Navy veteran. She is a recovering addict who believes in second chances, healing, and the power of self-love. Her journey serves as a reminder that recovery is possible and that every day is a new opportunity to rise stronger than before.

Episode Details:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Tehya Tigan, a Helena mom of two, about how Montana’s home visiting programs sup...

Guest Bio: 

Maria Emmer-Aanes is the Executive Director of The Village Playspace and the Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County, where she works alongside parents, partners, and neighbors to build strong, connected communities for kids and families in rural Montana. Her work is rooted in a simple belief: when families feel supported and connected, everyone does better.
 
 Maria is the co-founder of the Beaverhead Brigade, a grassroots nonprofit created to restore after-school transportation for students, and the founder of the Good Food Network, a community-led effort focused on improving access to clean, nutritious foo...

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Julianne Denny (She/Her)
Cree, Ojibway, Mi’kmaq
Raised in ceremony, Julianne lives in Montana with her family. She is an Indigenous doula supporting families across rural communities, providing culturally grounded care and guidance through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Julianne's doula work: https://www.morningstarbirthworkz.com/

Episode Description: 

In this episode, Emily Freeman sits down with Julianne Denny, an Indigenous doula serving families in rural Montana. Julianne shares her personal journey from experiencing a mental health crisis as a new...

Guest Bio: 

Suzanne Bendick is the Co-Executive Director, co-founder, and former board member of Roots Family Collaborative, a highly respected and deeply impactful organization she has helped shape over the past nine years. A devoted mother of two, Suzanne is a visionary nonprofit leader known for her thoughtful approach, deep listening, and unwavering commitment to improving community health and wellbeing.

Her professional background includes formal training as a Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Montessori Teacher, and she is currently expanding her expertise as a student of Somatic Experiencing. Grounded by a love o...

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Jessica Liddell is an Associate Professor at the University of Montana School of Social Work and Affiliate Faculty in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences. Her work focuses on pregnancy and childbirth, reproductive justice issues, birth justice and equity, community engagement, and making healthcare systems more equitable. Her current research focuses on the use of doulas to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in Montana. Dr. Liddell graduated from the interdisciplinary City, Culture, and Community Ph.D. program at Tulane University. She also completed a Masters in Public Health, with a...

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In this powerful episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman sits down with Callie Trier and Jake Maher to share Ryan’s Journey Home — a story of foster care, recovery, and the power of community.

When Callie and her family welcomed baby Ryan into their home straight from the NICU, they knew he would need love, stability, and a strong village to help him thrive. What they didn’t expect was the friendship that would grow between their family a...

Guest Bio: 

Carrie joined Florence Crittenton in 2010 as Grants Officer and quickly moved into the role of Development Director in 2011, a position she held for eight years before becoming Executive Director in 2019.

Before Florence Crittenton, Carrie was Education Coordinator for the Montana Hospital Association and gained development and project management experience with the Helena Symphony and Montana State University Athletics.

Over her 15 years at Florence Crittenton, Carrie has worked extensively in budget management, fund and contract development, and advocacy. As Executive Director, she leads the integrated leadership t...

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Mindy Petranek is a fourth-generation rancher in central Montana, where her family has lived and worked the land since 1914. Together with her husband and son, she embraces life “at the end of the road,” finding joy in the rhythm of rural living and the adventures that come with it. Passionate about connection and community, Mindy hopes to shed light on the beauty and challenges of ranch life while helping others find meaningful ways to connect with the land and each other.

Episode Description: 

In this episode of the LI...

Episode Description:

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, host Emily Freeman talks with Pam Ponich, Perinatal Program Manager for One Health, about an innovative program changing the face of perinatal support in Montana — the Peer Recovery Doula certification.

Pam, a longtime psychotherapist and program developer, helped create this dual certification for Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialists and Full Spectrum Doulas. The program recognizes the powerful overlap between peer support and birth work — both rooted in trust, lived experience, and standing beside rather than abov...

Guest Bios

Maureen Ward: Since 2019, Maureen has served as Injury Prevention Program Manager for Montana DPHHS, leading strategies to promote safety and well-being across the state. She holds a Master’s in Adult Education from Montana State University and brings 15 years of higher education administration experience, helping her develop and implement effective injury prevention initiatives.

Tracie Keel: Tracie has 19+ years of experience in injury prevention and harm reduction across Montana, specializing in child passenger safety, impaired driving, and occupant protection. She coordinates CPS technician trainings, car seat distribution, and lo...

Welcome to Season 5 of our podcast (formerly Mother Love, now known as The LIFTS Podcast)! Today we'll chat with HMHB's Executive Director, Stephanie Morton, to discuss the upcoming podcast season, our updated name, and more. 

LIFTS podcast: https://hmhb-mt.org/podcast/

LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org/

LIFTS magazine: https://hmhb-mt.org/magazine/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

Fo...

In our final episode of this season's "Session Voices" series, we talk (again) with Mary Collins, of UM's Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development. Mary talks about the many steps left to codify and implement new policies, now that the session has ended, and the ways in which communities can work together to implement these changes. We discuss the power of local coalitions, particularly Early Childhood Coalitions (ECC's) -- what they are, why they exist, and how you can get involved in one in your own community (or help create one).  

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In this episode we chat with Jackie Mohler, Executive Director of Family Outreach. Jackie discusses her legislative work on behalf of Montanans living with disabilities, and the ways in which engagement can -- and should -- continue after the session ends. 

Guest Bio: 

Jackie Mohler is Executive Director for Family Outreach Inc., a Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports people with developmental disabilities and their families. She has earned a Master of Education degree from MSU Billings, specializing in Special Education with Advanced Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis. Jackie is a mother of two ch...

In this episode of Session Voices, we speak with Dillon Sarb, a community organizer with Catalyst Montana. Dillon will help us to better understand the role played by community organizers in the political ecosystem, and share a little bit about a creative and impactful storytelling project centered around Medicaid expansion.

Catalyst Montana: https://www.catalystmt.org/

Montana Medicaid Storybook: https://www.catalystmt.org/community/montana-medicaid-storybook

Guest Bio: 

Dillon Sarb, originally from Billings, Montana, now resides in Missoula. He earned a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Montana, where he...

This week’s guest is Karen Filipovich, Executive Director of Montana Head Start. We’ll learn how Head Start has engaged with the legislature this session, and discuss the transformative power of storytelling to strengthen families and build community.  

Montana Head Start Association: https://www.mtheadstart.org/

Head Start: https://headstart.gov/

Best Beginnings: https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/childcare/BestBeginningsScholarships

Zero to Five Montana: https://zerotofive.org/

Mother Love is hosted by Emily Freeman, with music by Caroline Keys. Got a great idea for a person or project to be...

Today, we’re joined by former Montana State Legislator Jenny Eck. Jenny served three terms in the House of Representatives, including two terms in leadership roles. We’ll discuss her path to the legislature, and the importance of finding common ground with one another, in order to effectively move the political process forward. 

Guest Bio: Jenny is the Communication and Development Director at the Indian Law Resource Center where she promotes the organization’s mission of supporting the rights of Indigenous peoples across the Americas. She is passionate about authentically helping those impacted by secondary trauma to find re...

Guest: Megan Bristol, MSN, CNM (Intermountain Health St. James Hospital)

In tandem with Jenna Clark (Ep. 04), Megan provides birthing families a midwife option in a hospital setting. We’ll talk about her work in Butte, and the Maternal Health Connection program, which offers telehealth and hybrid care to women in Granite and Powell counties. 

https://doctors.intermountainhealth.org/provider/megan-m-bristol/2197974

https://news.intermountainhealth.org/because-every-woman-deserves-specialized-care/

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

<...

In conversation with Amy Stiffarm, PhD, MPH, we learn about the creation of Senate Bill 319, supporting and promoting doula care in Montana.

Learn more about the value of doula care, and SB 319, here:

https://hmhb-mt.org/for-partners/doulas-and-birth-workers/

https://hmhb-mt.org/2025-doula-legislative-information/

Interested in supporting SB 319? Details and resources for providing testimony or written comment:  

Hearing date/time: Monday, February 24, 2025, 3:00 PM

Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Safety Committee, Room 317C
Montana State Capitol, Helena MT

Need help w...

Guest: Jenna Clark, MSN, CNM, WHMP (Intermountain Health St. James Hospital)

Working in partnership with Megan Bristol (Ep. 05), Jenna offers midwifery care at St. James Hospital. Learn what makes midwifery different from an OB approach, and how Jenna made her professional transition. 

https://doctors.intermountainhealth.org/provider/jenevieve-l-clark/2197973

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For statewide resources to support Montana families in t...

In this episode of "Session Voices" we chat with Grace Decker, coordinator of Montana Advocates for Children (MAC). We'll talk about how to engage with the legislative process, the unusual but necessary guidelines around clothing and decorum, and the value of building relationships with lawmakers year-round.

Links and Show Notes: 

Montana Advocates for Children

MT Legislature Livestream

Public Participation Link (requires account set-up)

Guide to making public comment (from Zero to Five Montana).

[email protected]

Host: Emily Freeman, HMHB Storytelling Coordinator
M...

Guest: Amy Lowney, MSN-RN, LMT, CST (Prima Natural Wellness)

Amy pivoted from her work as a hospital labor and delivery nurse, and now offers complementary wellness services to moms and babies in Butte. We’ll talk about her own professional journey, as well as the emerging landscape of holistic providers in the mining city.  

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

For st...

Welcome to Session Voices, our special miniseries exploring the 2025 Montana legislative session. In this episode, Emily talks with Mary Collins, Project Director at the University of Montana’s Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development. Mary walks us through some of the basics of how the legislature works, and the unexpected joys of watching the MT Legislative Session Livestream.

Host: Emily Freeman, HMHB Storytelling Coordinator
Music by Caroline Keys

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org...